But the push for light sentences may be going too far, especially
in jurisdictions that were already giving lenient punishments to
drug offenders who pleaded guilty, The
New York Times reports.

Over the past year, the typical sentences for drug traffickers in
Brooklyn federal court have changed from three years in prison,
to now only a few months or even no prison time, according to The
Times.

That's because, even before the nationwide push for lighter
sentences, the U.S. attorney's office in Brooklyn sometimes let
drug smugglers plead guilty and cooperate with authorities in
exchange for a shorter sentence. Now that the U.S. Sentencing
Commission has suggested reduced sentences for all drug crimes,
federal prosecutors in Brooklyn believe they have to "sweeten the
deal" even more for those who cooperate, according to The Times.

"As a result, drug-courier defendants can now face sentencing
guidelines that suggest no prison time," The Times reports.

This had led to some slaps on the wrist for fairly serious
crimes.

Marvin Douglas, who was caught at JFK after bringing in between
300 and 400 grams of cocaine, ended up having a sentence of zero
to six months recommended. Even more extreme, Phylicia Lowe, who
attempted to bring in 1,000 grams of cocaine inside of food cans,
ended up serving just one day behind bars. The judge in the case,
John Gleeson, wondered whether a "modicum of jail" was
appropriate for her crime, so he gave her four months of home
detention, as well.